Maoists promise to restrict use of arms

Kolkata: Maoists on Tuesday said that they
would restrain use of arms for one month if the government
suspended joint operation in Junglemahal to create a congenial
atmosphere for talks.

"If there is no joint operation in the area then we
will restrain arms for one month," a joint statement signed
and issued by Akash- spokesperson of Maoist state Committee
besides Sujato Bhadra and Choton Das, the two interlocutors,
said.

"The government will have to decide whether they will
suspend joint operation for a month and create a congenial
atmosphere for talks," Bhadra said.
"The statement was signed on September 30 and there
was an embargo till October 3 and after that the content of
the statement was released to the media," Bhadra said.

The joint statement came in the wake of discussions
between the Maoists and the interlocutors engaged by the
state government.

No reaction was immediately available from the state
government on this statement.

When asked whether it was a unilateral decision taken
by the ultras, Bhadra said "It is never unilateral because if
the government promises to stop joint operation then only the
Maoist will restrain arms but it is a positive move which will
provide scope for a dialogue."

Asked about other armed groups functioning in the
area, Bhadra said "If there is any attack on the rebels by
those groups the Maoists will report it to the interlocutors
and subsequently it will be reported to the government," he
added.
"The government will have to assure and take every
possible step to decommission these armed forces and that will
help in creating an atmosphere for talks," he added.

In a statement last week, the Maoist leader had stated
that they were serious about peace talks, provided the
government stopped the joint operation against them.

"We are serious about peace talks and ready for a
ceasefire. We had given specific proposals to the two
interlocutors on our first meeting. But the government has to
stop anti-Maoist operations by the joint forces and show
willingness for peace," Akash had said in an open letter to
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Earlier, the Chief Minister had asked Maoists to choose
between talks and killings, saying "the two can`t go
together".